Guide to Mentoring

Workshop Outcomes By the end of the workshop, delegates will be able to: identify important learning opportunities for coaches outline the potential roles of the mentor in the development of coaches explain how a mentor can help to maximise these learning opportunities manage the self-reflection, coach profiling and development planning processes identify the core skills of mentoring develop a personal mentor profile and development plan

Stages of ‘Coach’ Learning Stage of Learning Mentor Role Mentor Skills Modelling Providing a model Being observed Co-coaching Demonstrating Explaining/teaching Competency Coach Observing Giving feedback Facilitating reflection Reflection Facilitator Challenger Objective support Questioner Managing learning Autonomy Partner/co-enquirer Communicator

Mentoring in Different Contexts Informal mentoring Formal mentoring Designated expert/ novice relationship Ad-hoc encounter Formal Programmes Friendship Qualification

Mentoring Triangle

How People Learn: Information Processing Input Process information Output By watching (visual) By listening (Auditory) By reading (Reading/Writing) By doing (Kinaesthetic)

The Self-reflection Cycle

Mentor’s Role in Reflection Key Stage Mentor Role Coaching activity – description of experience/problem Objective observer/listener Evaluation Objective listener; probing Analysis Challenging Conclusion Clarifying source of knowledge and/or objective feedback Development planning Adviser; confidence builder

Core Mentoring Skills Active listening Active questioning Developmental feedback Observation

Structure of a Mentoring Situation Pre-session meeting Activity/meeting Post-session reflection

Important Aims Pre-session meeting A shared understanding Clarifying expectations Establishing priorities Agreeing goals Session (coaching session or other activity) Normality Interaction depends on: event; stage of learning of the coach; level of acquaintance Reflection Quality of communication Coach leads Beware of advising and fixing

Coach Profiling Outlines the coach’s self-image Helps to develop empathy between mentor and coach Helps the mentor to be relevant to the coach’s expressed needs Is the basis for a development plan for the coach

Influences on Coach Profiling Coaching Philosophy Coaching Philosophy Context (Environment and purpose of activity)

Profiling Instructions The coach outlines the qualities of a good coach in their opinion The meaning of each quality is clarified by the coach The coach selects the most important qualities These are plotted on the profile The coach rates him/herself in each quality on a scale of 1–10 The score is plotted on the profile

SMARTER Goals Specific They must be directly relevant to the needs of the coach Measurable Quantifiable goals can be measured and assessed Acceptable Coaches must believe they can achieve their goals Realistic Goals should be challenging, but within the coach’s capability. Time-phased Each goal should have a specific timescale in which to be achieved. Exciting Coaches should be pleased and excited about achieving their goals Recorded Goals should be recorded for mentor and coach reference.

Key Steps to Developing a Personal Development Plan

Mentoring Can: serve as a motivational experience for coaches improve your own coaching by analysis of another’s methods and ideas improve your coaching by enhancing coaching-related skills such as communication skills, analysis and observation give job satisfaction and a sense of great achievement build greater awareness of the needs of other coaches challenge preconceptions and beliefs assist coaches with self-reflection

Workshop Outcomes By the end of the workshop, delegates will be able to: identify important learning opportunities for coaches outline the potential roles of the mentor in the development of coaches explain how a mentor can help to maximise these learning opportunities manage the self-reflection, coach profiling and development planning processes identify the core skills of mentoring develop a personal mentor profile and development plan

Have a safe journey home Thank you Have a safe journey home